242 Prospect Street
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
FORM B − BUILDING
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Photograph
Topographic or Assessor's Map
Recorded by: Bonnie Parsons
Organization: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Date (month / year): April, 2011
Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
24D-226-001 Easthampton NTH.
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 242 Prospect Street
Historic Name: Lewis Berger House
Uses: Present: Single-family house
Original: Single-family house
Date of Construction: ca. 1915
Source: Street Directories
Style/Form: Craftsman Bungalow
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: brick
Wall/Trim: clapboards, shingles
Roof: asphalt shingles
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Major Alterations (with dates):
Condition: good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.131 acres
Setting: This house is let on the lower slope of
Round Hill, so its lot rises to the southwest.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON ] [242 Prospect Street]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.
___ Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
If checked, you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form.
Use as much space as necessary to complete the following entries, allowing text to flow onto additional continuation sheets.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION:
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within the community.
This is a one-and-a-half story, front-dormer bungalow whose roof extends on the north façade to create a deep porch. The
porch rests on battered posts – that is, posts that are larger at the bottom than at the top – a Craftsman stylistic detail. The
posts have shingled bases. The house is three bays wide and six deep. On the east elevation is a through-eaves exterior wall
chimney. In its gable ends are jetties. The chimney and jetties are Craftsman features. On the west elevation is a secondary
enclosed entry that has a shed roof.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
Discuss the history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the building, and the role(s) the
owners/occupants played within the community.
This house was occupied by Lewis and Lia Berger as early as 1919 and they were there through 1940. Lewis Berger was an
immigrant from Austria/Hungary and managed the Women’s Sample Shop in Northampton. The Bergers had several children
and a servant who lived with them.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Beers, F. W. County Atlas of Hampshire Massachusetts, New York, 1873.
Hales, John G. Plan of the Town or Northampton in the County of Hampshire, 1831.
Miller, D. L. Atlas of the City of Northampton and Town of Easthampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, 1895.
Walker, George H. and Company. Atlas of Northampton City, Massachusetts, Boston, 1884.
Walling, Henry F. Map of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, New York, 1860.